Orlando’s Pride Parade history began with a small rally 18 years ago from a hesitant group who marched to City Hall in the name of equality for the LGBT community. Central Florida also is host to one of the largest global pride parties in June with the annual GayDays held at Walt Disney World, Universal Resort Orlando, and other venues. Given the national focus placed on this event as well as the Pride events that other major cities hold in June, in 2005 an inspired group of community LGBT leaders in Orlando decided to move our Pride parade and rally to October to align the event with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and to take advantage of the cooler fall days. Thus, Come Out With Pride was born. Nationally recognized celebrities and entertainment, respected speakers, scores of vendors, and the longest parade in the history of Orlando Pride all have contributed to this special event that continues to break records for Orlando LGBT festivals in which attendance has doubled or tripled each year.

The Come Out with Pride committee is comprised of volunteers who are dedicated to bringing a free, world-class event to Central Florida.

An important mission of the Come Out with Pride event is to give back to the LGBT community through charitable initiatives including an annual scholarship to the University of Central Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union as well as donations to a variety of local LGBT organizations.